Exploring the worlds of the Fantastic, the Bizarre, and Dark Mainstream Literature

Monthly Archives: January 2009

Never expected this, but here is what turned out to be a very interesting discourse over at SHOCKLINES (www.shocklines.com). If you’re into horror, you can always depend on meeting some cool people in the business or getting your jollies off there. The subject matter is something I’d been meaning to ask, something I’d been pondering for quite some time. A few of the answers actually surprised me; some even got me thinking. For me, writing is very much an addiction — yeah, sometimes the buck ain’t so bad either — and at the same time that addiction can also be very therapeutic. It’s kind of like a drug. Depending on the strength of the addiction, sometimes it leads to better opportunities, other times it doesn’t. It’s something you need to get out of your system; nevermind the withdrawal symptoms I call “Writer’s Block”.

Now I don’t blog too much, because I don’t really understand the full concept of it. I merely self-promote and give plugs. But like any drug writing is something which is hard to quit. Still, I’m living in the “here and now”. Many an author’s work do cease to exist. Even the way our society is adapting, revolving, just generally changing, and at such a rapid pace, paper may soon disappear and reading as we know it may switch formats and cease to exist too!

My friend once said, “Have fun with this. See where it takes you. See who you meet. But don’t ever make something big of it.” Then he went on how I’d be looking back at this moment in twenty years time, perhaps the victim of diabetes, stroke, or a heart attack. What would I really think about writing for immortality or money then, when I’m old and gray with age? Something to consider…

And here’s a quick appearance from over two months ago to THE RANDOM EYE: An Ezine Dedicated to Alternatives. You can find a lot of cool stuff here (from alternate history to parallel universes). SFWA member Rick Novy is also in this issue, and I believe we’ll be appearing in some other stuff together later in the year. Great writer, and an even greater fella to chat with. In the meantime, be sure to read the premiere edition; it’s only published once per year.

This is a fine-looking import, that’s all I have to say. A Spectrum Fantastic Arts award-winning, Anti-Pop, culture-clashing literary magazine which kicks you in the balls at light speed. This magazine breaks the rules, and then some. The quality of material is remarkable. It’s a themed journal, and the running theme for Issue #4 is: QUEER & LOATHING IN WONDERLAND. Edited by Adam Lowe, and distributed by Dog Horn Publishing (www.doghornpublishing.com). Creative Director is Michael Dark.

Previous Issues have featured such names as: Jeff VanderMeer, Michael Moorcock, Rhys Hughes, Steve Redwood, and MORE! This is a Limited Edition magazine. 500 copies of the paperback, 100 numbered hardback! Once it sells out, you won’t be able to get it again. My short story could best be described as “extreme”, and matches the theme of the issue. Hurry and get your copy today. There’s a lot of fine authors here.

No, it has to be a PR stunt as Russell T. Davies leaves the show and Stephen Moffat takes over. It’s a terrible lie, I tell you! No, the next doctor is not some goth kid who just “happens” to look like Peter Davison and Beethoven. Are they blowing the series like John Nathan Turner did back in the 80’s with Colin Baker and Sylvestor McCoy, just blowing it right the hell off television for good? Did they just choose him because his hair was “cool”? Who knows. All I know is that I would have preferred a much older actor — not a “companion” as the Doctor; they might as well have gone with Radcliffe now — maybe a black actor. Colin Salmon, Paterson Joseph, or even Adrian Lester! As a science fiction writer myself, I would have even bargained for Morrissey, Nesbitt, or Sean Pertwee. But who is Matt Smith? Well, if you look at the picture below, that’s him.

He was just introduced the other day on Doctor Who Confidential, and it appears that this man is the Doctor my son will most likely grow up to. And while I am a fan of “young” doctors (Peter Davison is by far my all-time favorite), and while I have faith in Moffat’s writings, I just don’t particularly like the wild card choice he made with some no-name talent; Smith also has a few unmemorable shows behind him. Matter of fact, Moffat and Paul Cornell’s writing in particular are some of the BEST! But Matt Smith doesn’t remind me of a Time Lord. Sorry. OK, so maybe I am jumping the gun. I’ve been to Outpost Gallifrey, Den of Geek, and every other website and forum in-between hoping the news was really just a big old PR stunt — praying that Paterson Joseph walks through the TARDIS door and says in 2010… SURPRISE!!! But at the age of 40, Tom Baker was relatively a no-name actor with only a few creds to his name… look at what he accomplished. Peter Davison was, at one time, the youngest Doctor to take on the role. He was fantastic, too, but he had a hit series like All Creatures Great and Small behind him. Acting experience! Maybe the scripts will make the difference here, not so much the “hairstyle”. Because this, to me, seems like why they chose him. That and his odd finger mannerisms. I guess we have to watch and see, eh? I mean, David Tennant made the part all his own in one season. He grew on us. But how long will Matt Smith last as The Eleventh Doctor? Will he even be any good? What are some of your thoughts on Matt Smith (aka Doctor Number 11)?

Matt Smith promo shot

A while back I held a few Doctor Who fan polls, where you could vote for your favorite Time Lord and so on. This time I have TWO POLLS… Both dedicated to Matt Smith…

Didn’t catch my Sci-Fi love story, A Virtual Affair, the first time around…? Well, you can always read it again before it goes into retirement. Below in the January 2009 issue of SURPRISING STORIES. Edited by John and Eric Thiel. This well-received story would be one of the final 30 hobbyist venues which will feature work of mine over the next twelve months.

My New Years Resolution was to retire from many a small venue, with 350 publishing credits as rocket fuel, and see where I can take these crazy horror stories and science fiction-cluttered thoughts of mine. And while I will still be an integral part of the Small Press, I’ve decided to take a leave of absence from the hobby press to search for a little more. As I invest over four hours per day into a new novella with “true” emotion and real, identifiable characters, make up marketing materials and get ready for the premiere of my first short story collection, and outline fresh ideas for a hopefully pro-paying anthology, I really can’t wait to see what this year off from shorter work brings. In the meantime, please, enjoy what the publication above has to offer.